Cops — and civilians — converge on coffee shop

Tony Spinelli

Published
8:00 am EDT, Wednesday, July 12, 2017

There’s an old saying that if you want to find a police officer, you have no further to look than the local coffee shop, and that was nowhere more true June 28 than at Tusk & Cup Fine Coffees on Old Ridgefield Road in Wilton Center.

Ten officers converged on the shop in the morning hours, but they were not there to answer a call or make an arrest. They just wanted to chat with the public, drink a cup of joe and make a community connection.

The event was called Coffee with a Cop, and Wilton psychotherapist Mikki Silverman enjoyed every sip.

“I had no idea this was going on today, I just walked in for some coffee,” said Silverman, who was pleasantly surprised to strike up a conversation with Capt. Robert Cipolla.

“It was nice,” Silverman said. “I think establishing this kind of alliance is very lovely.”

The talk did not have to be about police work or the law. More often than not, it was about daily living in Wilton and go-to subjects such as sports, said Sgt. Stephen Sisenstein, who helped organize the event.

“It’s our second Coffee with a Cop,” Sisenstein said. The first was held last June at Dunkin’ Donuts in town. It was a success, and led to the second. It looks like there will definitely be a third, and possibly two a year, he said.

The local officers got the idea from a national group that sponsors Coffee with a Cop sessions around the country. There is even a website for it.

There is no agenda at these sessions, said Capt. Cipolla.

“We just want to have an opportunity to meet people in a neutral, informal setting and build a relationship,” Cipolla said.

The baristas poured the coffee and the chatter was loud. Guests included State Rep. Gail Lavielle.

Some of the customers had a sense of humor about the event.

“Don’t go in there, you’re going to get arrested,” deadpanned one man as he left the place with a large coffee in hand.